Martin Johnson names his England side on Tuesday to face the Pacific Islands at Twickenham on Saturday. McGeechan has no doubt that the uncapped, New Zealand-born Flutey, expected to start at inside centre, will be able to make the transition from the club game, particularly if it is in tandem with his Wasps team-mate Cipriani.

"It was the thought of putting them together that attracted me to signing Riki from London Irish last year," McGeechan said on Monday. "The prospect excited him, too. He'd played a fair bit at fly-half, and even full-back for the Irish, but we sold him this vision of what he could achieve as an inside centre.

"The partnership with Danny really took off in mid-season. They brought a lot out of each other and gave us all manner of options. They've both got pace and if one of them makes a half-break, the other one is on his shoulder. It's a potent set-up."

Flutey, 28, is on the verge of something very special. He has described himself as a "staunch Maori", and was so determined to make the right decision about whether to invoke the three-year residency role and play for an adopted country, that he went back to New Zealand midway through last season to discuss the ramifications with family and friends.

Flutey, who played for New Zealand through the age groups, joined London Irish from Wellington in 2004. "He was in at the start of the revolution here," said London Irish head coach Toby Booth, who has taken over from Brian Smith, now England's attack coach. "Riki played a fundamental part in our change of approach. He's very athletic and brings a cutting edge to any team."

McGeechan feels that England can draw huge benefit from having the likes of Flutey and Cipriani working near Wasps openside Tom Rees. McGeechan is also a fan of Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care.

"These guys frighten the opposition," McGeechan said. "If you don't keep an eye on Danny, he's gone. Ditto Cips, he's gone. The same, too, with Riki – he'll be gone. Defences have to be honest with players like these. They stop the drift across field, so if they're not doing something themselves, then they create opportunity for those out wide by fixing the defence. Riki and Cips interchange so well, with Riki often stepping in to the first receiver role. They're fantastic at laying off ball for runners, and that helps bring your back-row into the game as well."

Flutey, who was voted Premiership Player of the Year last season by his peers, is not the biggest of centres, standing 5ft 10ins and weighing in around 14st. However, he is powerful as well as clever and busy. There have been question marks raised in the past about Cipriani's defence, with Wasps often moving him to an outside channel. McGeechan has no qualms about Flutey being able to shore up that part of the field.

"Riki's defence has improved immensely," McGeechan said. "It was iffy, now it's outstanding. He's really dominant in the tackle and is back on his feet going for the ball in an instant. Riki is very fit, very strong and physically confident."

So, too, is Cipriani. It is only a month since his return to action, six weeks ahead of schedule following a horrific fracture dislocation to his ankle last May.

"Danny has looked sharp and has never even thought about the ankle," McGeechan said "He's in good shape physically but might still need a little bit of time to get his decision-making attuned. But you can only get that by playing."

Leicester's Toby Flood is the only possible alternative in midfield.

Sale full-back Mathew Tait and Gloucester No 8 Luke Narraway have been ruled out after failing fitness tests on their hamstring injuries. London Irish hooker David Paice has been called in as cover for Leicester's George Chuter.

England are likely to field five new caps in their 22-man squad. Flutey will be joined by London Irish full-back Delon Armitage and Harlequins wing Ugo Monye. In the pack, Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley and London Irish lock Nick Kennedy are set to play a part.

Mosese Rauluni, the Saracens scrum-half, will captain the Pacific Islands.